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Monday 14 January 2013

Off to the Framer!

I just completed this final commission from last year.  It's based on 'Aglow at Grasswood' which was sold last month.  A woman asked to me make another version of this for her to purchase.  I never did post much about the first one as I failed to take a good photo of it before it was off to the framer.  Before I began this commission, I took a good look through the source photographs I took from that day.  It was the evening after a major Tornado warning was eventually lifted.  I knew that black sky would crack open and pour sunshine over the fields, so I zipped down to my favorite spot on Grasswood Road to wait for that moment.

directly to the south...

to the left


to the right









































As I looked closer at some of the photos, I noticed just how wet those fields were!  I love the water in this one, and so I decided to incorporate a bit of that spring flooding into the new piece.

















THIS was the one I wanted!  I liked the orangy-reds and browns in it too, though I liked the original sky & cattails from the first one.  Off I went...

painting a new sky

I put it all together onto a good stabilizer and away I went...  After a couple of afternoons of free machine stitching the field, trees, and the outline of the heavy storm clouds, I was ready to begin hand stitching.  I filled in some deeper tones and highlights into the grasses.  I love stitching grass.  LOVE.  I darkened the edges around the flooded parts of the field.  I stitched out some French Knots to serve as the bumpy dried cattail puffs that were left on the stalks from the year before.


Tada!

Aglow II, 2013 Commission for M.

Seriously - I knocked my socks off myself!  I LOVE this!  Standing back to look at this, I get all teared up.  It takes my breath away.  I still can't believe I did this.   I must sound completely ridiculous.  (It's not wrong to be excited by your own work, right?)  I am jumping up and down over this.  I often go through the unfinished, 'ugly phase' in disbelief that I can pull it off.  Then I pick up a hand stitching needle and the magic begins.  I am so proud of this piece!  I hope that 'M' loves it too.  #1 - this is only possible with a gazillion shades of all the right greens.  I cannot stress that enough.  #2 - never be afraid of hand stitching.  Quilts... abstract fibre art... threadpainting... hand embroidery always manages to take the 'beauty' factor up a notch. 

Tomorrow, I'm off to the framer so she can work her magic. ; )




13 comments:

Cat Palmer said...

What a beautiful piece. . . Stunning. Thank you for showing your work and the hints along the way.

Both you and Dahn have inspired me to try my hand at thread painting and co-incidentally I am just off to buy some of the gazillion shades of green thread. Thanks so much for your blog.

Dahn said...

Of my gosh--this is just beautiful! I am in awe of your talent.. and this sky is incredible. Incredible!!!!
Very well done Monika. :-)

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Beautifully done Monika, there is a real depth of colours and textures in this one, dramatic and captivating.

HollyM said...

I think it is the most wonderful thing that it thrills you! I stopped doing watercolor because I was rarely happy with the results. Fiber art thrills me though and that's how it should be
It is a beautiful piece!

liniecat said...

Its so striking and thats a lucky new owner!!

B J Elder said...

Just amazing and the color in this one is fabulous. I need to increase my thread 'stash' as you are so right about needing a large variety of hues! The new owner will absolutely LOVE this one, I am sure.

Molly said...

it is so beautiful, so full of 'prairie time' that i am sad that i am not the 'M' for whom it was made!
cheers
molly

Nicki said...

It really is a stunning piece Monika. Congratulations. And enjoy that feeling of elation! It is wonderful when it happens.

Kit Lang said...

I said it last night and I'll say it again - this is a stunning work of art. You're right to have knocked your own socks off - we all feel the same way!

(And yes, I've felt that way once or twice about my own work.) :)

PrairiePeasant said...

It's been said above, but so true--simply stunning! Well done!

Patti said...

I think it's really important to get excited about your work - at least from time to time, lol! Otherwise, why do it? This is beautiful Monika. It's really shows the power of nature on the prairies. Lucky "M"!

Juanita said...

I go through the same feelings when I work on a new piece and I love it when it turns out. You sure do have the right to love your own work. Those grasses, all that lovely thread work....beautiful!

Anonymous said...

your work is stunning! I Love your colours and attention to detail.
I think being proud of yourself is absolutely ok and completely warranted.

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